Wednesday, September 02, 2009

Skaggs Still Recovering

Since his release from the hospital, Erik has kept a pretty low profile. He spends his time at home, eating a low sodium, low potassium, low protein diet, and hydrating. We caught up with him today...

Skaggs says, "I'm eating salads, pasta, basically bland food...can't even have red sauce! I was up all last night peeing. That's a good sign, but I'm still 30 pounds overweight. I spend a lot of time lying on my back looking at my fat stomach. I spend my time hanging out with my brother, Kyle, and Jenn. I'm trying to stay positive. I feel much better today and my breathing is easier. I think I'm headed in a positive direction even though my enzyme levels have risen slightly in the past few days."

Here's today's Mailtribune article on Skaggs' status. Definitely some interesting comments being fired back and forth at the end of this article...

Meanwhile, several races have developed with the purpose to raise funds for Erik.

Thanks for keeping us posted and organizing ways to help. GO GO GO Erik and friends, and disregard the nasties in the MT forum. Find peace and rejuvenation in the support posted on this blog and through the ultra/running community, which truly reflects and respects you.

Everyone who has been kind enough to send a good word, hug, or thought in my direction in the past week…thanks so much. You guys and gals make me smile daily with levels of kindness that continue to amaze.

Take care everyone…and you can all have an imaginary water retaining 180pound Skaggs bear hug if you like,

best wishes to you Erik for not only your physical recovery, which is most important, but ease in handling the medical bills as well. On the upside is that hospitals are generally very good to work with as far as financial assistance and bill reduction - I've had to do that in the past myself. Looking forward to running in the upcoming local race for you.

To Matt: RVR wishes that at this time insurance was affordable for a small business. At the time I began procuring this business even my boss dropped his coverage for his employees because a million dollar store couldn't handle the load. Even as the cost approaches affordability, the deductables (15,000) become outrageous.

RVR will play a large part in making sure Eriks future isfree of these medical costs.

This certainly speaks to the times and where our administration takes us in the next few years.

It sucks that any business has to choose between offering health insurance and keeping the lights on.

The employer-supplied health care model is not sustainable and puts American business at at disadvantage in the world market. It also puts average citizens at risk.

It's too bad that WA doesn't have a state run program like NY - here, any business can offer reasonably priced coverage through a state sponsored insurance plan. It works great and should be a model for a national system.

I think that it's great that RVR is going to take care of their own...and also that the ultra community has rallied behind you guys.